Kamila Valieva’s drug sample which tested positive for the banned substance trimetazidine also contained two other drugs used to help heart conditions, according to reports.
The 15-year-old was given the all-clear to compete in the individual figure skating event, which began yesterday and which concludes tomorrow, despite producing a positive doping sample.
Taken on December 15 but only made public last week, the day after the Russian Olympic Committee won gold in the team figure skating event, it also contained traces of Hypoxen and L-carnitine.
Neither substance is on the banned list of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), but both can be used to treat the heart. Hypoxen is designed to raise the amount of oxygen going to the heart, while L-carnitine is another oxygen-boosting drug. Both drugs were reportedly disclosed on Valieva’s anti-doping control form.
But Travis Tygart, the head of the US Anti-Doping Agency, suggested the presence of those two drugs, along with trimetazidine, in her system raised further question marks.
He told the New York Times: “It’s a trifecta of substances: two of which are allowed and one that is not.”
He also said it was an “indication that something more serious is going on” and that it seemed “to be aimed at increasing endurance, reducing fatigue and promoting greater [oxygen] efficiency”.
Valieva was given a provisional suspension by the Russian Anti-Doping Agency when her positive test was made public last week.
That suspension was withdrawn on appeal and a Court of Arbitration for Sport hearing was held when WADA, the International Olympic Committee and the International Skating Union appealed that overturned decision.
On Monday, it was announced that Valieva was clear to compete, although she could yet be sanctioned.
In her hearing, it was argued that trimetazidine had made its way into her system accidentally and was a result of medication being taken by her grandfather, who regularly took her to training. In a video, he said he took the drug whenever he had “attacks” and showed a packet of the medication to the camera. Her mother, meanwhile, submitted evidence that her daughter had taken Hypoxen to treat heart variations.
WADA have not commented on the latest evidence but have opened proceedings against both the teenager and her support team.
At 15, Valieva is deemed “a protected person” under the WADA code and could face reduced sanctions if the positive doping sample is proven. The IOC have already announced that there would be no medal ceremony for the team figure skating, likewise with the individual event, should Valieva finish in the top three. She led going into the second day of competition.
